Forwards playing offense

Your goalie is your last line of defense, your
defencemen must get the puck up to your forwards, but it is the forwards that
have to score goals and create offense for their teams. In this article, we will
look at tips for the forwards when they are playing offense.

The number one requirement for all players is to put
out a consistent all-out effort every time you step on the ice. Whether you are
on the ice for practise or competing in a big game, there is no substitute for hard
work!

The objective is when your team does not have the
puck, you defend and get it back, once you have it, you must go on the attack
as quickly as possible this is called the transition game.

Whether the puck changes possession from, offence to
defence, or defence to offence, you must be prepared to think quick, read and
make the right decision and make the transition as quick as possible. Can’t emphasize enough
that the quicker your team transitions, the better team you are going to have.

Let’s look at some
situations a forward needs to recognize and
execute:

1. DEFENSIVE ZONE COVERAGE TO BREAKOUT. When you are
defending the defensive zone and your team gains possession of the puck, you
must get to break out position as quickly as possible. Depending on your coach’s system, the strong side winger
usually goes to the wall (around the hash mark), weak side
winger slashes across, supporting the winger on the wall and the centre man, if
he does not have the puck, supports the winger. This is an example for
transition from defense to offense. (see DIAGRAM 1).

2) NEUTRAL ZONE – If you gain possession
in the Neutral Zone and you have no play or you are on an odd man offensive
rush, such as a 1 on 2, 2 on 3 or a 3 on 4. You must then put the puck deep to
avoid any neutral zone turnovers. When you are putting the puck deep you must
place it so you can get it back. In other words dump the puck with a purpose!
If you are playing against a goalie that is a good passer, make sure you keep
the puck away from him! If you are playing in a rink with LIVE BOARDS then bank
the puck off the boards so the puck comes in front and you or your teammate can
skate into it and regain possession. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE!

3) OFFENSIVE ZONE: In the offensive zone always make
sure you have a high forward (F3), this forward is in perfect position to go to
the net and get a pass for a scoring chance or if your team should lose possession
the high forward (F3) is in perfect position to track back on defense. If your
teammate is the high forward position and moves low for a pass, then you must
read off your other forward and one of you must rotate high. It is difficult
for the defensive team to cover the high forward (F3)!

In the offensive zone when you have the puck and do
not have a play and cannot put the puck on net, then use the “quiet areas” and place the
puck there. The defensive team is focused on covering the “house” or the “red zone”, in other words
they are covering the front of the net, the sides of the net and behind the
net, will be free of traffic. If all 5 players know that when there is no play,
the puck will be placed in the quiet area, then 1 player will present himself
there.

The “quiet area” is also used for cycling the puck and keeping possession. The puck
carriers the puck out of the corner to the blueline and attempts to take it to
the net. If he does not have any options, he places the puck into the corner “quiet area” where there is a
teammate, he then goes to the net looking for a pass. The new puckcarrier then
carries the puck up the boards, looks for his open teammates or attempts to
take the puck to the net. Cycling helps your team keep the puck and wait for a
great scoring chance. When the defensemen has the puck at the point, then get
in front to screen the goalie and look for tips and deflections. Goalies are so
good these days that it is difficult to score on the first shot. Congestion in
front of the net causes screens, rebounds and is the key to scoring goals!

The Idea for forwards when on offense is to control
the puck keep possession and score goals. Here are 12 basic rules for you
forwards to keep in mind when on offense:

1) COMMUNICATION – “Be the eyes for your
teammate”.
You should be talking on the ice all the time! Be loud and be clear, let each
other know what is going on, on the ice! Talking will also give you a better
understanding of the game.

2) BE AVAILABLE TO RECEIVE THE PUCK, OR BE IN POSITION
TO SUPPORT THE PUCK. No matter what zone you are in, if you do not have the
puck then get yourself open again and again! Move your feet, keep skating, KEEP
YOUR STICK ON THE ICE and COMMUNICATE!

3) PLAY 2 ON 1 HOCKEY. Hockey should not be a 1 on 1
game, play 2 on 1 as much as possible. This rule applies to all 3 zones. Use
the give and go play, get yourself in an area to support the puck, two players
will always beat 1 player! Don’t be a puck hog and play by yourself!

4) HEAD MAN THE PUCK – If your teammate is open
and he is ahead of you, pass him the puck! The puck will always travel faster
than you can skate it. Moving the puck quick to the open man creates a quick
transition and gives you a chance to get the puck to the net and score!

5) PROTECT THE PUCK – Create a wall (with your
body) between you, the puck and the checker. Learning to protect puck
along the
boards and in open ice will give you a chance to keep puck possession
and give
you a chance to win the 1 on 1 battle or will allow you time to have
your
teammate come in and create a 2 on 1 situation. Have a puck protection
and “win mind set” when competing for loose a puck and make sure you
STOP on all loose pucks!

6) DO NOT STALL YOUR ATTACK – Never go offside when
you are on the attack and have an odd man rush such as a 2 on 1, 3 on 1 or a 3
on 2! When you go off side, the whistle will be blown, play will be dead and
you just stalled your attack!

7) WHEN ATTACKING THE OFFENSIVE ZONE – GO WIDE! When
carrying the puck into the offensive zone take the puck wide, keep your feet
moving and USE YOUR SPEED. This will force the defensive defensemen to come to
you, thus opening up the middle of the ice. If you are driving hard with the
puck and the defender does not come to you, then you can protect the puck and
take it to the net!

8) GO TO THE NET - We cannot emphasize this enough. Go
to the net hard, look for tips, passes, deflections and rebounds. When going to
the net, besides being a scoring threat, one of the defenders will have to go
to the net with you, this will open up time and space for your teammates!

9) SHOOT WHEN IN THE GREEN ZONE – unless there is a
teammate in an obvious better position / do not hold on to the puck. GET A LOOK
at the net and the goalie. If the goalie has the net covered, then put puck on
net. Most goalies today are butterfly goalies, so they will go down in the
butterfly position so shoot for the low pad and play the rebound because we
guarantee, there will be a rebound!

10) NO NEED TO TAKE SLAP SHOTS IN THE OFFENSIVE ZONE -
Wrist and snaps shots are best! You will get a quicker release off your shot
and you will be a surprise to the goalie. After your shot get into the habit of
going to the net, following or tracking your shot. Make sure you STOP, WITH STICK
ON ICE AND STAY ABOVE THE CREASE!

11) BE A BAD GOALIE – When in the offensive
zone with the puck always have a man in front of the net. We call this having a
net presence. Make sure you get right in front of him (the goalie), you must make
sure he cannot see the puck! Then when the shot comes from your opponent, let
the puck go by you! You are now being a bad goalie and giving your team a
chance to score. Once the puck goes by be alert for any rebounds!

12) USE YOUR DEFENSEMEN – If you do not have a
shot at the net from down low, then look for F3 or your defensemen if they are
open. Then be ready to create a 2 on 1 (get the puck back) or go to the net
hard as the defensemen or F3 will shoot the puck on net.

There is lots of information here, take the time to
study the contents and next time you are watching a game on TV, watch the
forwards very carefully and you will see many of the points outlined in this article.
Also, very important, remember to have FUN and enjoy playing the greatest and
fastest sport on earth! Happy scoring!!!

Enio Sacilotto is the Assistant Coach of the Victoria
Royals of the Western Hockey League. He is also President of International
Hockey Camps who operate specialized hockey camps for Forwards, Defensemen,
Battle & Compete, Dynamic Skating & Puck skills, Bantam & Midget
Elite Prep Camps and Junior Prep Camps. You can visit his website for free
coaching resources and information about the camps; www.coachenio.com. If you
have any questions about this article and would like to contribute some ideas,
you can call him at 604 255 – 4747 or email at cenio@coachenio.com

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